Supposedly LSD was an still an option for the '96 328is although I've
never been able to find a car which had the option installed. If one
could be found it would be my choice for a GS BMW.
Russ Wiles didn't hesitate to switch from the E30 325is to the E30 M3
when they both ended up in CS years ago. I seem to recall him
estimating an average one second difference on an average course.
Riding in these M3s they seem a bit slower off the line but quicker at
the top end than my '89 is. They are obviously better at transitions but
more inclined to understeer. I'd have to drive one to know if they can
better apply power out of corners which is a big key. This is
occasionally a weakness in my E30 325is which thanks to modern tire
technology can be limited by two wheel lift and hopping in some turns
which means I have to drive less aggressively or simply wait for things
to settle down.
The few opportunities I've had in an E36 325is suggest that the car is
faster than my E30 and while more prone to understeer is dramatically
more stable in sweepers probably due to the improved rear suspension. I
would think my car would gain some advantage on a tighter course because
of it's weight and size but that wasn't the case on the North course at
Nationals. Neil Sapp was clearly quicker. I thought I drove ok on my
3rd run except for the bouncing suspension through the corners. I'm
used to smooth asphalt not bumpy concrete. Perhaps some adjustments in
driving, shocks or tires would have helped but I don't think they would
have made enough difference. By contrast I thought I clearly left a
half second on the south course. A tidy conservative first run was
followed by bonehead braking errors. When adding a more aggressive
approach I broke too much, too early on the second run and too little,
too late on the third. The poor braking was probably a consequence of
subpar shifting skills. Anyone driving a E30 is better have confidence
in his shifting since 48mph in second means you'll be rowing the boat on
a lot of courses. Russ Wiles was (is) a great shifter (couldn't find
the shift point with a G-analyst) and didn't hesitate to move up or down
as the moment demanded. He also suggested that left foot braking helped
to bring out the full potential of the car.
I don't have a real solid opinion between the E36 325is and the E30 M3.
I think the E36 would feel faster but the torque and power don't matter
if you can't transmit it smoothly to the ground. If, as I suspect, the
M3 can put the power down better it would make a big difference. If the
more stable suspension of the M3 could be tuned to legally control the
understeer, or even rotate predictably this would be another advantage
over the E36. Off the showroom floor, and for the average driver I
think the E36 325is would be faster.
A properly tweaked M3 would probably be the choice of the serious
driver.
A GS BMW that hasn't been mentioned is the E30 325 es. I ran one for
years. Cross comparisons with my E30 is proved it was generally 2
seconds slower. It really should be an HS car. It has good torque but
the 121/126hp makes it slower and heavier than the HS 318's. It might
be a pretty good HS car.
Bob Clark
89 325is
Milwaukee
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